Borderline Personality Traits
Finding The Right Treatment
Treatment
Psychotherapy is the primary means to treat borderline personality disorder. Dialectical behavior therapy is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that was developed by the late Marsha Linehan to treat people with BPD. DBT is a combination of both individual and group therapy. During DBT, people learn and practice four core skills that help them to feel more in control of their emotions and communicate with others: emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness.
There are other forms of therapy that may also be helpful, such as mindfulness therapy, in which the person learns to fully experience the present moment, rather than finding their minds worrying about the past or future. Mindfulness therapy also helps the person with borderline personality disorder learn to accept themselves as well as others.
There are no medications specifically indicated for people diagnosed with BPD
While no medications are specifically prescribed for BPD, people with BPD may find that medication can help them with other challenges that they may be trying to cope with. Many people with BPD also tend to experience severe depression, anxiety, and/or alcohol or drug use disorders. Medication is often very helpful in managing these other psychiatric conditions to help the individual more fully engage with psychotherapy and begin feeling an improvement in their symptoms.
Finding a therapist
Therapy has been proven to yield major improvements in the lives of those with BPD. Whether it be recognition of one's symptoms, an understanding of how one's past might have impacted them, or a simple awareness of one's thoughts and their triggers, therapy can help people become more content versions of themselves. Many therapists have experience working with adults with borderline personality disorder. It is extremely important to identify a therapist with such experience so that the person with BPD may receive the most helpful treatment possible. It is also important to feel comfortable and safe with a therapist.
There are different kinds of professionals who can provide effective therapy for BPD. What is most important is the therapist's prior experience and how well an individual feels they “mesh” with them, rather than the type of degree that the therapist holds. Some types of therapists include the following:
- Clinical psychologists (PhD)
- Clinical social workers (CSW)
- Licensed social workers (LSW)
- Licensed professional counselors (LPC)
- Licensed clinical professional counselors (LCPC)
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)
- National certified counselors (NCC)
The decision to start therapy
Many people try to cope with their distress on their own, and then feel disappointed when they find that this is very difficult to do. Deciding to start therapy can be hard; it takes courage.
For some people, it can take time to warm up to the idea of sharing one’s intimate thoughts or disclosing details of one’s life, especially for those who grew up in a culture where seeking psychological help was frowned upon.
Psychotherapy is increasingly accepted as not only a way to improve mental health symptoms, but also a means for self exploration and personal growth. No problem is too small for a trained therapist: an individual need not worry that others may have it worse. The willingness to reach out for help is increasing: in 2020, one out of every six Americans (men and women) reported seeing a therapist.
Seeing a therapist with whom one feels comfortable, and a sense of connection, and who also participates in their insurance network, is essential. It may take a couple tries to find a therapist who feels like the right fit. If therapy didn't help the first time around, it can be helpful to give another therapist a try because therapeutic styles vary so much from therapist to therapist.
Where to start
Asking one’s physician to make a referral is often a good place to start. Many health insurance cards have websites or 1-800 numbers to call for a list of in-network providers.
To find a therapist who takes your insurance, the National Institute of Mental Health offers a comprehensive list of resources.
Psychology Today also lists therapists by type, location and insurance.